How Do You Repair Water Damage to Hardwood Floors?

A:

Quick Answer

The methods for repairing water damage to hardwood floors largely depends on the type and extent of damage on the hardwood floors and the subflooring. The immediate course of action for water damage to hardwood flooring would be to get all the moisture out as quickly as possible. This can be achieved by using industrial fans on the floor and using a dehumidifier in the room.

Fixing water damage to hardwood floors can be tricky as apart from drying out the hardwood floor and subfloor, other issues such as mold and warping will need to be addressed. Hardwood floors with severe damage will need to be replaced. The following shows some ways of dealing with water damage to hardwood floors.

Minimal water damage

Minimal water damage is usually indicated by a white stain on a particular area of the floor´s surface. Buff the white stain with a cotton cloth with a mild abrasive cleanser.

Use cleansers such as a car polish or a whitening toothpaste.

Intermediate damage

Black stains indicate mold growth in the wood that complicates the problem. Start by drying out the damaged section in the wood.

Use a tape around the damaged area to isolate the repairing process.

Strip off the wax in the damaged area and then scrub it with either steel wool or sandpaper

Dissolve oxalic acid crystals in hot water and apply the solution on the stain with a brush. Let it dry then repeat until the stain is gone

Stain the damaged section to match with the rest of the floor and finish the job with a sealant.